Indian defense group MKU to manufacture surveillance and armor systems in Morocco
Supplier to the Royal Armed Forces, Indian group MKU now plans to manufacture in Morocco. It has announced a facility in Nouaceur to produce surveillance and targeting systems, as well as ballistic protection equipment, with plans to supply African markets too.
From deliveries to local manufacturing. In a statement dated October 7, MKU announced plans to set up a factory in the SGZID zone in Nouasser. The Indian group says it has been supplying optronic equipment and personal protection gear to the Royal Armed Forces for five years. The facility is intended to extend the commercial relationship through an industrial presence.
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The manufacturer had already explored setting up an industrial facility in Morocco. It has now specified the area selected and the planned activities. Two divisions in its product portfolio are to supply the future production: Netro, which focuses on optronic systems, and Kavro, which specializes in ballistic protection, MKU explains.
Optronics combines optical and electronic devices to observe an environment, detect a threat or identify a target. MKU plans to manufacture multisensor systems for surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition. Ballistic protection meets a different need: equipping personnel with body armor, helmets and shields, as well as protecting military platforms with armor solutions.
For Moroccan customers, the company points to shorter delivery times and local after-sales service. Local production should also make it easier to adapt its equipment to operational requirements. These are the expected benefits of the project, whose timeline has yet to be announced.
An export base for Africa
The Nouaceur site would not be limited to the Moroccan market. MKU intends to make it an export base for the African continent and offer products manufactured in the kingdom to partner forces in Africa and Europe. Manufacturing and technical support would thus be brought together at its Moroccan facility.
The group plans to transfer production capabilities and technical expertise. It says the project will create skilled jobs for Moroccan engineers, technicians and manufacturing professionals.
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Karan Gupta, vice president of international sales, describes the project as a long-term commitment: “This factory transforms this relationship into a long-term commitment,” he said, after recalling five years of cooperation with Morocco.
The statement names Nouaceur but says further details will be provided later on the precise location, the size of the site, the investment amount and the timeline.